Martin Corry: England can beat New Zealand, Australia and Argentina this autumn

England's injury crisis should not prevent them landing a clean sweep in the autumn Test series, former captain Martin Corry has said.

Having a ball: Jonny Wilkinson is back to great form after his switch to Toulon but Martin Corry has warned, 'don't expect too much too soon for England'Photo: AP

By Gavin Mairs

7:11PM BST 22 Sep 2009

Corry, who was capped 64 times and captained his country on 14 occasions, also stoutly defended Steve Borthwick's captaincy but warned England supporters not to expect too much too soon of Jonny Wilkinson should the Toulon fly-half, as expected, return to the international stage after a 20-month absence.

"I am reading reports that Jonny is firing but he needs to be in a good side and be comfortable in that set-up," said Corry, who brought his 12-year playing career with Leicester to a close at the end of last season.

"He needs a stable England side around him, that's when you see the best of Jonny, not when you put him into a makeshift side. He needs time to settle in."

Johnson's managerial career got off to the worst possible start last autumn with successive defeats to Australia, South Africa and New Zealand.

With the Wallabies and All Blacks returning this November, and Argentina also visiting, Corry is adamant that those humiliating defeats can be avenged. That is despite the loss of Riki Flutey and Delon Armitage who have been ruled out with long-term injuries, and major concerns over the fitness of Harlequins centre Jordan Turner-Hall (shoulder).

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"For England to have a successful autumn series, and the target has got to be going unbeaten this year," added Corry, who now works for Mark Group, the new sponsors of the Tigers' community programme.

"There is no reason why England can't win all their games. New Zealand aren't playing anywhere near the standard of rugby that they want to play. The autumn will be the end of a tough old season for them, so that is going to be really interesting.

"Australia are trying to develop this new brand of rugby as well, which brings, with it an inconsistency."

Although Borthwick's leadership attracted criticism last season and the England captain was overlooked by the Lions, Corry expects the Saracens lock to benefit from the return of experienced leaders such as Wilkinson.

"Steve Borthwick has taken a huge amount of criticism and everyone is saying he doesn't warrant his place in the side," he added.

"It is only when people are asked who they would pick instead of him, that's when they go quiet. The way Steve has handled himself through a very difficult time has been excellent.

"As England are still in a period of restructuring to a degree, there are always question marks over who is actually going to make the side. But if Steve is in the side, then he will be captain.

"Because the team has been developing, he has had to do everything, but now you should have leaders coming in, he will be able to have a more back seat role."

Insurers Amlin have been named as title sponsors of the European Challenge Cup in a three-year agreement. The Amlin Challenge Cup kicks off next month, with the main contenders set to include current Guinness Premiership leaders Wasps and Wilkinson's Toulon.